London, United Kingdom - Cow poo and grass are the main ingredients for cooking up new high efficiency power

The first energy plant of its kind in 20 years demonstrates how natural processes can power a business and a village with renewable energy. A farm near Ardstraw in Northern Ireland uses technology that allows the production of heat and power from animal waste and vegetation. Fuelled by organic matter produced on the farm, this pioneering power plant is also one of the most environmentally friendly of its kind. The plant is very efficient and wastes very little compared to other energy companies. Normally, central power plants pump more than 50% of the energy into the air while turbines waste 75% of the wind’s energy. Now, run on muck, the cow power plant has an energy efficiency of 86%, wasting only 14%, which a huge step toward a sustainable Northern Ireland.

The Greenhill Dairy Farm Biogas plant is the first plant in Northern Ireland in 20 years to provide sustainable heat and power for homes and businesses. The power station mimics a cow stomach and cooks animal waste at 40°C (104°F) to produce methane gas. The gas is then piped into two engines that drive generators while hot water is also produced for drying plant waste, called ‘digestate,’ and to pasteurise milk. This use of waste to produce valuable energy shows how rural areas and agriculture can function sustainably. Power derived from cow dung and grass silage cuts power prices for all consumers and decreases agriculture’s carbon footprint. Additionally, the unit will reduce Northern Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels and prevent volatile energy prices whilst bringing new jobs to this rural area.

Cows deliver ‘the good life’

The 700 acre Greenhill farm delivers grass and animal waste from some 600 cows to fuel the plant. After the process of extracting methane from the manure and grass, farmers will use the residual waste, called 'digestate', as a powerful fertiliser to grow animal feed. Capturing the value from this natural cycle is essential to enable local farmers to compete internationally. Looking like a giant muffin, the plant produces 430 kilowatts of electricity per hour - enough to supply some 430 homes with electricity.

A farm AD plant has far less visual impact and noise pollution than wind turbines and delivers far more socio-economic benefits in rural areas. The farmer earns money from his waste, the plant reduces energy and fertiliser costs which stabilises his income. AD plants are also the number one job-creating renewable technology. Alfagy’s research shows that widely adopted biogas plants create far more long term jobs than any other renewable technology and more money for the Government. “It is astonishing that more financial support isn’t directed at biogas power plants as they create 8 times more value than other renewable technologies such as wind turbines,” comments Peter Kindt, the Alfagy chairman. World’s most efficient energy

Alfagy was selected by the developer for the project as the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and gas conditioning supplier after a competition against leading manufacturers such as GE Energy, MWM and MAN. The project faced challenges in getting funding from a bank during the financial crisis that is still raging internationally. However, Alfagy’s high level of quality and service convinced the bank to grant a development loan. This is considered something of an accomplishment in the current climate according to Peter Kindt. "Given the current credit crunch, this project is an important demonstration of a sustainable energy future", said Peter Kindt. "The deciding factor for the finance of the project was our plant’s world beating efficiency that produced £1.8 million more revenue than the competition. Our payback is simply the fastest in the market,” adds Peter Kindt. The Ardstraw power plant will be the 52nd biogas power plant in the UK and only the 2nd in Northern Ireland. More farmers in Northern Ireland are now considering similar projects.

About Alfagy LimitedAlfagy focuses on renewable energy and distributes Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants that run on natural gas, biogas and wood. Alfagy provides Profitable Green Energy™ to farms, companies and organisations that wish to cut carbon emissions, costs and increase revenue. Alfagy provides plant maintenance, turn-key projects and finance using high efficiency technology to generate the best possible returns. Alfagy supplies high efficiency biogas plant from 50 kWe to 5 MWe withup to 48.5% electric efficiency and has the largest range of any manufacturer.

About ArdstrawThe village of Ardstraw is west of Newtownstewart some 5 miles from the Irish border. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 222 people. It lies within the Strabane District Council area in Northern Ireland. Its tranquil and scenic setting added to by a recent enhancement scheme, belies its once illustrious status as the seat of an important bishopric, as well as the ancient resting place of the local branch of the O'Neill clan. Today, the village is an integral part of a thriving agricultural community. Thestone mill buildings at Ardstraw are a distinctive riverside feature on the River Derg.

About Anaerobic DigestionThe Anaerobic Digestion (AD) process is a great success on the European continent and there are more than 5,000 AD plants operating in northern Europe. AD happens where any organic material decomposes and methane-rich gas – known as ‘biogas’ – is released. Biogas can be burnt in a generator to produce renewable electricity and heat. After the methane and other gasses are extracted, a balanced, fibrous natural fertiliser called ‘digestate’ is spread on land as a fertiliser. On farms, the whole process uses normal farming techniques and equipment to deliver the feedstock. Food and animal waste from horses, chickens, turkeys, pigs and cows are useful for biogas production. Water companies also use biogas extracted from sewage water to generate heat and power. The biogas created is used to fuel a Combined Heat and Power unit to produce electricity which is then exported to the National Grid.

Of all renewable energy solutions, AD creates far more long term jobs, supports the rural economy and captures renewable energy. The process uses locally produced crops and crop residues as well as a wide variety of wastes. Compared to other alternative renewable energy generators, such as wind turbines, it has significantly less visual impact. The bio-product of the plant is returned to the surrounding land as fertiliser to support the growth of the following year’s crops – reducing the need for carbon-intensive industrial fertilisers, which are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. It also smells far less....

London, United Kingdom - Cow poo and grass are the main ingredients for cooking up new high efficiency power

The first energy plant of its kind in 20 years demonstrates how natural processes can power a business and a village with renewable energy. A farm near Ardstraw in Northern Ireland uses technology that allows the production of heat and power from solar panels and vegetation. Fuelled by organic matter produced on the farm, this pioneering power plant is also one of the most environmentally friendly of its kind. The plant is very efficient and wastes very little compared to other energy companies. Normally, central power plants pump more than 50% of the energy into the air while turbines waste 75% of the wind’s energy. Now, run on muck, the cow power plant has an energy efficiency of 86%, wasting only 14%, which a huge step toward a sustainable Northern Ireland.

The Greenhill Dairy Farm Biogas plant is the first plant in Northern Ireland in 20 years to provide sustainable heat and power for homes and businesses. The power station mimics a cow stomach and cooks animal waste at 40°C (104°F) to produce methane gas. The gas is then piped into two engines that drive generators while hot water is also produced for drying plant waste, called ‘digestate,’ and to pasteurise milk. This use of waste to produce valuable energy shows how rural areas and agriculture can function sustainably. Power derived from cow dung and grass silage cuts power prices for all consumers and decreases agriculture’s carbon footprint. Additionally, the unit will reduce Northern Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels and prevent volatile energy prices whilst bringing new jobs to this rural area.

Cows deliver ‘the good life’

The 700 acre Greenhill farm delivers grass and animal waste from some 600 cows to fuel the plant. After the process of extracting methane from the manure and grass, farmers will use the residual waste, called 'digestate', as a powerful fertiliser to grow animal feed. Capturing the value from this natural cycle is essential to enable local farmers to compete internationally. Looking like a giant muffin, the plant produces 430 kilowatts of electricity per hour - enough to supply some 430 homes with electricity.

A farm AD plant has far less visual impact and noise pollution than wind turbines and delivers far more socio-economic benefits in rural areas. The farmer earns money from his waste, the plant reduces energy and fertiliser costs which stabilises his income. AD plants are also the number one job-creating renewable technology. Alfagy’s research shows that widely adopted biogas plants create far more long term jobs than any other renewable technology and more money for the Government. “It is astonishing that more financial support isn’t directed at biogas power plants as they create 8 times more value than other renewable technologies such as wind turbines,” comments Peter Kindt, the Alfagy chairman. World’s most efficient energy

Alfagy was selected by the developer for the project as the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and gas conditioning supplier after a competition against leading manufacturers such as GE Energy, MWM and MAN. The project faced challenges in getting funding from a bank during the financial crisis that is still raging internationally. However, Alfagy’s high level of quality and service convinced the bank to grant a development loan. This is considered something of an accomplishment in the current climate according to Peter Kindt. "Given the current credit crunch, this project is an important demonstration of a sustainable energy future", said Peter Kindt. "The deciding factor for the finance of the project was our plant’s world beating efficiency that produced £1.8 million more revenue than the competition. Our payback is simply the fastest in the market,” adds Peter Kindt. The Ardstraw power plant will be the 52nd biogas power plant in the UK and only the 2nd in Northern Ireland. More farmers in Northern Ireland are now considering similar projects.

About Alfagy LimitedAlfagy focuses on renewable energy and distributes Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants that run on natural gas, biogas and wood. Alfagy provides Profitable Green Energy™ to farms, companies and organisations that wish to cut carbon emissions, costs and increase revenue. Alfagy provides plant maintenance, turn-key projects and finance using high efficiency technology to generate the best possible returns. Alfagy supplies high efficiency biogas plant from 50 kWe to 5 MWe withup to 48.5% electric efficiency and has the largest range of any manufacturer.

About ArdstrawThe village of Ardstraw is west of Newtownstewart some 5 miles from the Irish border. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 222 people. It lies within the Strabane District Council area in Northern Ireland. Its tranquil and scenic setting added to by a recent enhancement scheme, belies its once illustrious status as the seat of an important bishopric, as well as the ancient resting place of the local branch of the O'Neill clan. Today, the village is an integral part of a thriving agricultural community. Thestone mill buildings at Ardstraw are a distinctive riverside feature on the River Derg.

About Anaerobic DigestionThe Anaerobic Digestion (AD) process is a great success on the European continent and there are more than 5,000 AD plants operating in northern Europe. AD happens where any organic material decomposes and methane-rich gas – known as ‘biogas’ – is released. Biogas can be burnt in a generator to produce renewable electricity and heat. After the methane and other gasses are extracted, a balanced, fibrous natural fertiliser called ‘digestate’ is spread on land as a fertiliser. On farms, the whole process uses normal farming techniques and equipment to deliver the feedstock. Food and animal waste from horses, chickens, turkeys, pigs and cows are useful for biogas production. Water companies also use biogas extracted from sewage water to generate heat and power. The biogas created is used to fuel a Combined Heat and Power unit to produce electricity which is then exported to the National Grid.

Of all renewable energy solutions, AD creates far more long term jobs, supports the rural economy and captures renewable energy. The process uses locally produced crops and crop residues as well as a wide variety of wastes. Compared to other alternative renewable energy generators, such as wind turbines, it has significantly less visual impact. The bio-product of the plant is returned to the surrounding land as fertiliser to support the growth of the following year’s crops – reducing the need for carbon-intensive industrial fertilisers, which are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. It also smells far less....

Awesome.. Great way of generating power.. I think we must apply this new renewable source of energy.. It seems to be lot more cheaper and clean way of generating electricity.